by Faith and Reasons
Some people believe that Barack Obama will bring political, moral, & even spiritual reform to government. Many have called him the "President of the world", but will Obama bring the hope that many have been waiting for?
Rick Warren has organized a "P.E.A.C.E Plan" in an effort to end world hunger, poverty, etc. Many professing Christians are coming into covenant with Warren, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, New Agers, etc...in the name of "world peace" & "global healing"...but will their efforts pay off?
Some professing Christian religious leaders claim that God is ushering in Divine government through "apostles", "prophets", & the "fivefold ministry." While it's true that EVERY spiritual gift plays a role in maturing the Body of Christ, did God ordain religious leaders as a "headship" over the Body of Christ, to rule as a Divine government?
Who has our Heavenly Father ordained to order & establish Divine Government? Sinful men? I hope not...or we're in big trouble.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Getting to Know Jesus: Acts 13
13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrach, and Saul.
13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
13:13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
13:15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
13:16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
13:17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
13:18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
13:19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
13:20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
13:21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.
13:23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
13:25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
13:26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
13:27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
13:28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
13:30 But God raised him from the dead:
13:31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
13:34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
13:35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
13:37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses.
13:40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
13:41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light to the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
13:49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
13:13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
13:15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
13:16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
13:17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
13:18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
13:19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
13:20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
13:21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.
13:23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
13:25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
13:26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
13:27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
13:28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
13:30 But God raised him from the dead:
13:31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
13:34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
13:35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
13:37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses.
13:40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
13:41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light to the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
13:49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Jezebel Appears
In the midst of daybeds, pots, and pans at IKEA!
by Hannah Zechariah
Hubby and I decided to go to Ikea yesterday. We needed another bookshelf in the study. He wanted to take some pictures and measurements so that we can discuss and decide later which shelf to purchase. Ikea is the choice of the day because it's cheaper than the usual teak-wood furniture I fancy.
Ikea has a certain wrought-iron daybed I have always liked. Yesterday, I wanted to get it so much. But husband was against the idea because he felt we had no need for more furniture in the house. "Besides", he said, "we came here to take measurements for the bookshelf. I suggest we stick to only that." I (still) wanted the daybed so much. I set about trying to pitch the idea to my husband.
I made an effort to convince him what an ideal lounging space it would be for him to do his daily reading. I talked non-stop for about 1/2 an hour. My daybed pitch was still going on full speed even when we stopped for coffee at Starbucks. Then as we were standing at Ikea's kitchen section, husband stopped and conveyed something that somewhat caused me to wince.
"See how you always want your way and you will never stop until you get what you want. See how you always set out trying to manipulate me even after I said no to it in the first place. See how you still have the need for more possessions even when we already have more than enough," hubby said. "And to get what you want, you always tell me how good that thing is for me," long suffering husband continued.
Many times in the past, I have repeatedly manipulated not only my husband but the people around me to do exactly what I want: I am a manipulator! Sometimes, I would take it to the extreme and say it's because the Lord wanted "it" to happen a certain way (which is MY WAY). I reflected upon the countless times I have taken the Lord's name in vain (SHAME ON ME!!).
That's how I went about purchasing an expensive house with a mortgage we could barely afford. My husband was dead against buying the house, but I managed to manipulate him into agreement with me. That was 7 years ago!
I thought I was so over being the manipulator. Actually I am SO NOT! A few situations came up last week (it's embarrassing so let's not discuss it) which made me realize I am still set in my manipulative ways. Even though I kept confessing as to how the Lord has changed me to be the submissive God-fearing wife that I should be: I STILL have not really changed.
I came to this realization while we were standing in the center of the pots and pans section at IKEA and immediately set about asking my husband for forgiveness. Gracious hubby said, "Oh I forgive you", even before I could finish my sentence. I thank the Lord for him.
My Father in heaven, thank you for exposing my shortcomings. I am a repentant sinner. Teach me to walk the talk. Help me please for I cannot do this on my own. I succumbed to my fleshly wants and needs so many times before seeking Your will and purpose for me. I bow down humbly before You my Lord and seek Your forgiveness. I will set my eyes upon Your word, Abba Father. I want to be the kind of wife You want me to be. The kind of wife Apostle Paul wrote about in Ephesians 5:22-24.
And Lord, help me submit to my husband joyfully. I don't want to struggle with this anymore. You will answer my prayer because I have the confidence that if I ask anything according to Your will, You hear me!
In Jesus' name I pray. AMEN!
by Hannah Zechariah
Hubby and I decided to go to Ikea yesterday. We needed another bookshelf in the study. He wanted to take some pictures and measurements so that we can discuss and decide later which shelf to purchase. Ikea is the choice of the day because it's cheaper than the usual teak-wood furniture I fancy.
Ikea has a certain wrought-iron daybed I have always liked. Yesterday, I wanted to get it so much. But husband was against the idea because he felt we had no need for more furniture in the house. "Besides", he said, "we came here to take measurements for the bookshelf. I suggest we stick to only that." I (still) wanted the daybed so much. I set about trying to pitch the idea to my husband.
I made an effort to convince him what an ideal lounging space it would be for him to do his daily reading. I talked non-stop for about 1/2 an hour. My daybed pitch was still going on full speed even when we stopped for coffee at Starbucks. Then as we were standing at Ikea's kitchen section, husband stopped and conveyed something that somewhat caused me to wince.
"See how you always want your way and you will never stop until you get what you want. See how you always set out trying to manipulate me even after I said no to it in the first place. See how you still have the need for more possessions even when we already have more than enough," hubby said. "And to get what you want, you always tell me how good that thing is for me," long suffering husband continued.
Yikes!! That is so true!
Many times in the past, I have repeatedly manipulated not only my husband but the people around me to do exactly what I want: I am a manipulator! Sometimes, I would take it to the extreme and say it's because the Lord wanted "it" to happen a certain way (which is MY WAY). I reflected upon the countless times I have taken the Lord's name in vain (SHAME ON ME!!).
That's how I went about purchasing an expensive house with a mortgage we could barely afford. My husband was dead against buying the house, but I managed to manipulate him into agreement with me. That was 7 years ago!
I thought I was so over being the manipulator. Actually I am SO NOT! A few situations came up last week (it's embarrassing so let's not discuss it) which made me realize I am still set in my manipulative ways. Even though I kept confessing as to how the Lord has changed me to be the submissive God-fearing wife that I should be: I STILL have not really changed.
I came to this realization while we were standing in the center of the pots and pans section at IKEA and immediately set about asking my husband for forgiveness. Gracious hubby said, "Oh I forgive you", even before I could finish my sentence. I thank the Lord for him.
With a repentant heart I made the following resolution and prayer before the Lord:
My Father in heaven, thank you for exposing my shortcomings. I am a repentant sinner. Teach me to walk the talk. Help me please for I cannot do this on my own. I succumbed to my fleshly wants and needs so many times before seeking Your will and purpose for me. I bow down humbly before You my Lord and seek Your forgiveness. I will set my eyes upon Your word, Abba Father. I want to be the kind of wife You want me to be. The kind of wife Apostle Paul wrote about in Ephesians 5:22-24.
"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Saviour of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything."
And Lord, help me submit to my husband joyfully. I don't want to struggle with this anymore. You will answer my prayer because I have the confidence that if I ask anything according to Your will, You hear me!
In Jesus' name I pray. AMEN!
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